The blast took place in Jandol town, in the district of Lower Dir, 100km from the once Taleban-infested Swat Valley.

"It was a remote-controlled bomb blast which killed 14 people including three women and wounded 10 others," local police official Farman Khan told AFP. Mr Khan, who was supervising the aftermath at the site, said the vehicle was targeted because it was carrying people known to be pro-government.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Khan said militants were to blame. Another local police official, Javaid Khan, confirmed the incident and casualties.